Gifts no sports fan should go without

Tuesday

Nov 27, 2012 at 12:01 AMNov 27, 2012 at 12:43 PM

Few things make holiday shoppers happier than giving a gift that instantly lights up a loved one's eyes. All the work that goes into finding and securing the perfect gift becomes worth it and then some when the recipient's smile stretches from ear to ear.

A great holiday gift often involves someone's favorite hobby. When gifting the family sports fan, the options are endless. Sports fans tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves, and they're liable to be just as vocal with appreciation if any of these gifts are waiting under the tree for them this holiday season.

— Magazine subscription: Many sports fans feel they can never get enough information on their favorite teams and sports. A magazine subscription to Sports Illustrated or another periodical focusing on a particular sport can provide insider access for a year or longer. Magazine subscriptions are typically inexpensive, but they provide lots of bang for your gifting buck, especially weekly publications. In addition, many magazines now give print subscribers access to exclusive content online, playing to your favorite sports fan's ever-growing desire for more knowledge.

— Sports apparel: According to IBISWorld, a California-based market research firm, online sporting apparel sales were expected to approach $5 billion in 2012. Driving those sales are sports fans who can't wait to don the gear of their favorite teams. Apparel makes a great holiday gift, whether it's an authentic player jersey, a team logo hoodie or a personalized T-shirt that directly connects fans to their teams.

— Memorabilia: Sports memorabilia can be costly, but shoppers can still find great deals on everything from autographed items to relics of a franchise's fledgling days. When shopping for memorabilia, be wary of auctions, where "shill bidding" can drive up the price of coveted items. Shill bidding occurs when owners bid on their own items at auction in an attempt to drive up the sale price. And authentication can be an issue with regard to sports memorabilia. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been cracking down on fraudulent memorabilia. Shoppers without knowledge of the memorabilia industry might want to focus on less expensive items that will be a hit under the tree but won't be a hit to their bank accounts.

— Video games: Many sports fans indulge in their love of a favorite sport by playing video games. Like most technology, video games are consistently reinvented, so last year's game might already be outdated, making video games an ideal holiday gift. Those who want to go the extra mile can include a new gaming console along with the latest video game.

— Tickets: Of course, sports fans might like nothing more than tickets to see their favorite teams play. Buying directly from a sports team is a safe bet, but it can also be expensive. Savvy shoppers can explore the legal secondary market, which includes online retailers like StubHub.com or even league-affiliated programs like NFLTicket Exchange, where they might find more affordable tickets. When gifting tickets, do so far enough in advance of the game so fans have time to plan their trip and, if need be, take a day off from work.

CAPTION: Sports fans enjoy indulging in their love of a particular sport all year long.

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